Ribbon supply cartridge

ABSTRACT

A cartridge, which is removably mounted on a base plate, has a supply spool and a take-up spool rotatably mounted therein with the ends of the single pass ribbon attached thereto. The bottom wall of the cartridge has a curved slot to receive a resiliently biased drive roller, which is rotatably mounted on a pivotal arm on the base plate and has pointed projections thereon for penetrating the inked ribbon on the take-up spool to linearly advance the ribbon past its printing position. The cartridge has a cylindrical recess to receive a portion of the gear train. When the ribbon is a solvent coated plastic transfer matrix whereby overstriking is desired, then resiliently biased means is disposed within the recess in the cartridge to render the change means operative to reduce the amount of rotation of the drive roller. If a total release ribbon is used wherein no overstriking is desired, then the recess in the cartridge is empty and the larger amount of rotation of the drive roller occurs because the change means is not rendered operative.

United States Patent [191 Caudill et a1.

[54] RIBBON SUPPLY CARTRIDGE [75] Inventors: Allison H. Caudill; WillieGoff, Jr.,

both of Lexington, Ky.

[73] Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY.

[22] Filed: June 2, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 149,267

Related US. Application Data [60] Division of Ser. No. 752,096, July 16,1968, Pat. No. 3,604,549, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.609,136, Jan. 13, 1967, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl ..197/151 [51] Int. Cl. ..B4lj 33/14 [58] Field of Search..197/151, 157,172, 197/173, 175, 187; 206/52; 242/57.1, 58,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [451 May 8,1973

Primary Examiner-Ernest T. Wright, Jr. Att0rney-Hanifin and Jancin andLaurence R. Letson 57] ABSTRACT A cartridge, which is removably mountedon a base plate, has a supply spool and a take-up spool rotatablymounted therein with the ends of the single pass ribbon attachedthereto. The bottom wall of the cartridge has a curved slot to receive aresiliently biased drive roller, which is rotatably mounted on a pivotalarm on the base plate and has pointed projections thereon forpenetrating the inked ribbon on the take-up spool to linearly advancethe ribbon past its printing position. The cartridge has a cylindricalrecess to receive a portion of the gear train. When the ribbon is asolvent coated plastic transfer matrix whereby overstriking is desired,then resiliently biased means is disposed within the recess in thecartridge to render the change means operative to reduce the amount ofrotation of the drive roller. If a total release ribbon is used whereinno overstriking is desired, then the recess in the cartridge is emptyand the larger amount of rotation of the drive roller occurs because thechange means is not rendered operative.

5 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures Patented M s,-1973- V v V 3,731,781

"4 Sheets-Shet 1 'INVENTORS ALLISON H. CAUDILIL WILLIE GOFF JR.

BY v

ATTORNEY Patented May 8, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm mm FIG, 7

FIG; .4

FIG.3.

Patented May 8, 1973 3,731,781

4 Sheets-Sheet RIBBON SUPPLY CARTRIDGE This application is a divisionalapplication of application Ser. No. 752,096 filed July 16, 1968 now U.S.Pat. No. 3,604,549, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 609,136, filed Jan. 13, 1967, now abandoned.

When a total release ribbon such as a carbon ribbon, for example, isemployed with a typewriter for printing purposes, it is desired thatmaximum utilization of the ribbon be obtained since the ribbon makesonly a single pass through a printing position. However, there can be nooverstriking of a previously printed area of a carbon ribbon forsatisfactory printing. Thus, when a carbon ribbon is to be fed by aribbon feed mechanism through a printing position, it is desired that asubstantially constant linear or longitudinal amount of the ribbon bemetered past the printing position during each ribbon feed cycle withthe amount of linear movementbeing sufficient to insure that there is nooverstriking.

When employing a single pass ribbon of the solvent coated plastictransfer matrix type such as that shown and describedin the applicationof H. T. Findlay et al., Ser. No. 536,557, filed Mar. 7, 1966, now U.S.Pat. No. 3,413,184, and owned by the same assignee as the assignee ofthe present application, print operations may take place on the ribbonin overlapping areas. A small amount of ink is forced from small pocketsin which it is entrapped. Since no time is needed forrecovery after eachprint operation, the ribbon can be utilized in a singe pass through aprinting position. Thus, to obtain maximum utilization of a plasticribbon during its single pass through the printing position, the amountof linear movement of the ribbon past the printing position issubstantially smaller than that required when a carbon ribbon isemployed.

In order to wind a ribbon on its take-up spool, a force is applied tothe take-up spool. 1n the prior ribbon feed mechanisms, this force hasbeen selected to provide the force required to wind the ribbon on itstake-up spool when the maximum diameter of the ribbon is wound on thetake-up spool. Thus, in the prior ribbon feed mechanisms, when only asmall amount of the ribbon has been wound on the take-up spool, theforce applied to the takeup spool is much greater than required wherebya greater tensionexists on the ribbon.

When a plastic ribbon is being wound on its take-up spool, theapplication of the relatively large force of the prior ribbonfeed'mecha'nisms to the take-up spool during initial winding of theplastic ribbon on the take-up spool may cause breaking of the ribbon.This is because the plastic ribbon is thin and relatively weak.

The present invention satisfactorily overcomes this problem by applyingthe ribbon winding force to the outer periphery of the ribbon, which isbeing wound on the take-up spool. As a result, the increasing diameterof the ribbon on the take-up spool does not affect the tensile load onthe ribbon as in the prior ribbon feed mechanisms. Accordingly, theproblem of a plastic ribbon breaking due to a relatively large forceapplied thereto is eliminated.

This arrangement of applying the ribbon winding force to the outerdiameter of the ribbon, which is wound on the take-up spool, alsopermits a tighter winding of the ribbon on the take-up spool sothat agreater amount of the ribbon may be wound on the take-up spool for agiven diameter. This is due to preventing any slippage of the ribbonwound on the take-up spool.

As a result of the tighter winding of the ribbon on the take-up spool,the take-up spool may be substantially the same diameter as the supplyspool rather than substantially larger as in prior ribbon feedmechanisms. When using a cartridge with the supply and take-up spoolsrotatably mounted therein, this permits a more efficient use of thespace within the cartridge housing.

In order to rotatably support a spool within a cartridgehousing,.openings have previously beenformed in both the top and bottomwalls of the cartridge housing to provide bearing surfaces. .In oneembodiment, the present invention eliminates the need for any openingsin the top wall of the cartridge housing so that a substantially smoothtop wall is provided whereby manufacturing costs of the cartridge arereduced.

When using a cartridge, the typist is not able to see the amount ofribbon that has been advanced from the supply spool to the take-upspool. Therefore, the typist does not know when the single pass ribbonwithin the cartridge will be completely utilized. Thus, the possibilityexists that the typist may fail to order other cartridges containingsingle pass inked ribbons insufficient time.

One embodiment of the present invention satisfactorily solves theforegoing problem by providing indicating means on the cartridge to showthe amount of inked ribbon that has been advanced from the supply spoolto the take-up spool. Thus, the typist may easily discern the amount ofribbon still available for use within the cartridge.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved cartridge forasingle pass ribbonn Another object of this invention is to provide acartridge for an inked ribbon that'is relatively inexpensive, easytomanufacture, and well adapted for plastic molding techniques.

A further object of this invention isto provide a cartridge for a singlepass inked ribbon in which the cartridge has indicating means to showthe amount of ribbon still available for use within the cartridge.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

' FIG. 1 is anexploded perspective view of the portion of the ribbonmechanism attached to the typewriter, on

which-the cartridge maybe used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable cartridgeusedin conjunction with the structure ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is afragmentary sectional view of a portion of the cartridge ofFIG. 2 and showing the mounting of one of the spools therein.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of another portion of thecartridge of FIG. .2 and showing the mounting of the other of the spoolstherein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view. showing portions of the structure of FIG.1 in a cartridge loading and unloading position.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of a carbon ribbon and showing thepattern of printing thereon.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a portion of a plastic ribbon and showing thepattern of printing thereon.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the removablecartridge used in conjunction with the ribbon advancing mechanism ofFIG. 1 but slightly modified.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view ofa portion of the cartridge ofFIG. 8 and showing the details of the indicating device.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the cartridge ofFIG. 8 and showing the mounting of one of the spools therein.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of another portion of thecartridge of FIG. 8 and showing the mounting of the other of the spoolstherein.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified cartridgesimilar to that shown in FIG. 8 but arranged to be particularly suitedfor containing an overstrike type ribbon.

FIG. 13 illustrates a form of the supply spool shaft with slots therein.

For a complete description of and the operative relationships of ribbonfeed mechanism elements 40a, 61, 63-72, 72(, 73, 74, 77, 83, 85, 87,87a, 88, 96-98, 112-122, 125, 126, 132, 133, 135-155, and 170-175, whichare detailed and explained in co-pending application Ser. No. 752,096,now U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,549, the parent application of this applicationand reference is made thereto. Screws 8, 9 serve to attach the baseplate 27 to the carrier 28 of the typewriter. All of the above elementsare related to the ribbon feed assembly which is the subject of theparent application, and is not essential to the understanding of theinvention in this specification and claims.

Referring to the drawing and particularly FIG. 2, there is show acartridge, which is formed by housing 10. The housing 10, which ispreferably formed of a lightweight plastic material, includes an upperwall 11, a lower or bottom wall 12, and a continuous side wall 14joining the upper wall 11 and the lower or bottom wall 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper wall 11 has a raised or projecting portion15 extending from its surface within the housing 10. A supply spool 16is disposed within the housing 10 and has an annular end engaging theraised portion 15 of the upper wall 1 1.

The other end of the supply spool 16 has an annular portion 17, which isdisposed within an opening 18 in the lower wall 12 of the housing 10. Araised portion 19 extends from the surface of the bottom wall 12 withinthe housing 10 for cooperation with a shoulder 20 on the supply spool16.

The raised portions 15 and 19 insure that an inked ribbon, 21, which hasone end attached to the supply spool 16, does not contact either theupper wall 11 or the lower wall 12 of the housing 10. The only supportfor the supply spool 16 within the housing 10 is at the lower wall 12.The cooperation between the raised portion 15 on the upper wall 11 andthe end of the supply spool 16 is merely a bearing surface.

The supply spool 16 has a cylindrical passage or recess 22 extendingtherethrough. The wall of the passage 22 has a plurality of equallyangularly spaced longitudinal passages or keyways 23 formed thereon.

As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 10 has a take-up spool 24 rotatablymounted therein in the same manner as shown for the supply spool 16 inFIG. 3. The take-up spool 24 has a cylindrical passage 24' much smallerin diameter than passage 22 and does not have any keyways formedtherein. The other end of the ribbon 21 is attached to the take-up spool24.

The upper end of the take-up spool 24 bears against a raised portion 11aextending from the lower surface of the upper wall 11. This is the onlycontact for the upper end of the take-up spool 24. The lower end of thetake-up spool 24 is disposed within an opening 12a (and bears on araised portion 12b) of the lower wall 12 of the housing 10.

The ribbon 21 extends from the supply spool 16 to the exterior of thehousing 10 through a slot 25, which is formed in the side wall 14. Theribbon 21 returns to the interior of the housing 10 through a secondribbon slot 26, which is formed in the side wall 14 of the housing 10,for attachment to the take-up spool 24.

As the ribbon 21 passes through the slot 25, it passes around an edge ofthe slot 25 so that this forms a guide for the ribbon 21 as it leavesthe housing 10. Likewise, as the ribbon 21 passes through the slot 26,it engages an edge of the slot 26 so that this forms a guide for theribbon 21 as it returns to the interior of the housing 10.

The housing 10 is releasably supported on a base plate 27 (see FIG. 1).The base plate 27 is mounted on a support member 28, which is movablealong a member (not shown) across the typewriter when the presentinvention is employed with a single element printing head 29 (see FIG.2) of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,919,002 to Palmer. Both thesingle element printing head 29 and ribbon lift guides 30 (see FIG. 2),which support a portion of the ribbon 21 exterior of the housing 10, arecarried by the support member 28 for movement therewith. If the presentinvention is used on a typewriter having a movable platen, then the baseplate 27 will be attached to the typewriter as would the ribbon liftguides 30.

The base plate 27 has ears 31 on opposite sides thereof. Resilientelements 32, supported on the base plate 27, cooperate with each of theears 31 to retain the housing 10 on the base plate 27 during operationof the typewriter. The resilient elements 32 cooperate with the walls ofslots or recesses 33 (one shown in FIG. 2) in the side wall 14 of thehousing 10.

When the housing 10 is moved downwardly on to the base plate 27, ahollow shaft 35, which is rotatably mounted on a stud or spindle 36fixed to the base plate 27, extends into the cylindrical passage 22 inthe supply spool 16. The shaft 35, which is retained on the stud orspindle 36 by a retaining clip, has splines 38 thereon for cooperationwith the passages 23 in the supply spool 16 to insure that the supplyspool 16 and the shaft 35 rotate together.

At the same time, a stud, rod or spindle 39, which is stationarily fixedto the base plate 27 and extends upwardly therefrom, extends into thecylindrical passage or smooth centerbore 24' within the take-up spool24. There is no connection between the take-up spool 24 and the stud 39so that the take-up spool 24 freely rotates or spins on the stud 39.

When the housing 10 is moved downwardly on to the base plate 27, a driveroller 40, which has pointed projections 41 formed thereon spaced alonglines parallel to its rotational axis and around its entire periphery,extends into the housing through a curved slot 42, which is formed inthe bottom wall 12 of the housing 10. The drive roller 40 is rotatablymounted on'a stud 43, which extends upwardly from one end of a driveroller arm 44. A retaining clip retains the drive roller 40 on the stud43. The drive roller arm 44 is mounted at its other end on the baseplate 27 through a cylindrical boss 46 being disposed within an opening47 in the base plate 27 for pivoted movement about an axis 47a.

When the housing 10 is moved downwardly on to the base plate 27, thedrive roller 40 has been pivotally moved from the position shown in FIG.1 to the position shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the drive roller 40 extends into the curved slot 42 in the bottom wall 12 of the housing 10adjacent the end of the slot 42 remote from the take-up spool 24. Toprevent the pointed projections 41 on the drive roller 40 from engagingthe ribbon 21 on the supply spool 16 at the time that the housing 10 ismoved downwardly on to the base plate 27, a curved shield 48 is disposedwithin the housing 10 adjacent the end of the slot 42 closest to thesupply spool 16. The curved shield 48 preferably extends the entiredistance between the upper wall 11 and the bottom wall 12 of the housing10.

The drive roller 40 is disposed adjacent the take-up spool 24 duringfeeding of the ribbon 21 from the supply spool 16 to the take-up spool24. Resilient means such as a spring 49, which has one end attached toan car 50 on the drive roller arm 44 and its other end attached to amovable spring anchor 51, constantly urges the pointed projections 41 0fthe drive roller 40 into engagement with the ribbon 21 on the take-upspool 24 to positively drive the take-up spool 24 across the width ofthe ribbon 21.

A longitudinal two-position control member 80, which has a longitudinalor cylindrical gear 81 milled on the lowerportion of its outer surface,has a hollow chamber therein. This permits mounting of the longitudinalmember 80 on axis 47a over both the shaft 76 of the gear 75 and thebearing lug 79 of the gear 78. As hereinafter described, member 80 hasboth an upward position as shown in FIG. 1 and a depressed position.

A resilient spring 82 surrounds the shaft 76 of the gear 75.

In order to permit loading and unloading of the cartridge 10 on the baseplate 27, the drive roller 40 must be positioned so as to not engage theribbon 21, which is on the take-up spool 24, when the housing 10 isremoved from the base plate 27. Likewise, in order to permit bothremoval and installation of one of the housings 10 on the base plate 27,the ribbon spring guides 110 and111 must be removed from engagement withthe ribbon 21. Furthermore, in order to permit alignment of the passages23 of the supply spool 16 with the splines 38 on the shaft 35, it isnecessary to remove the detent 123 from engagement with the When thehousing 10 is positioned on the base plate 27, the drive roller 40 isdisposed to enter the end of the curved slot 42 in the bottom wall 12 ofthe housing 10 remote from the take-up spool 24. Because of the curvedshield 48, there is no danger of the projections 41 on the drive roller40 engaging the ribbon 21 on the supply spool 16.

After the housing 10 is positioned on the base plate 27, the load lever130 is moved from the position of FIG. 5 to the position of FIG. 1. Thespring 49 causes the drive roller arm 44 to follow the pivotal movementof the arm 13] of the load lever 130 to the position of FIG. 1.

The drive roller 40 is moved into engagement with the portion of theribbon 21 on the take-up spool 24 by the spring 49. The engagement ofthe drive roller 40 with the ribbon 21 on the take-up :spool 24 stopsmovement of the drive roller arm 44 by the spring 49.

Considering the operation of the present invention, the cartridge hasthe housing 10 assembled with the ribbon 21 wound on and having one endattached to the supply spool 16, which is rotatably mounted within thehousing 10. The ribbon 21 extends from the supply spool 16 through theribbon slot 25 in the side wall 14 of the housing {10 to the exterior ofthe housing 10. The ribbon 21 is returned through the ribbon slot 26 inthe side wall 14 of the housing 10 and around the take-up spool 24 towhich it is attached.

With the cartridge so packaged, it is ready for use by a typist. Theribbon 21 is positioned in the ribbon lift guides 30 through maneuveringthe cartridge so that it is not necessary for the typist to grasp theribbon 21. The ribbon 21 is disposed in front of the single elementprinting head 29 as shown in FIG. 2.

v When it is desired to position the cartridge housing 10 on the baseplate 27, the load lever 130 is in its loading and unloading position(see FIG. 5). In this position, the guides and 111 are moved away fromthe path of the ribbon 21 so that the typist may easily maneuver theribbon 21 within the ribbon lift guides 30.

With the ribbon 21 positioned within the ribbon lift guides 30 and infront of the printing head 29, the housing 10 is moved downwardly withthe cylindrical passage 22 in the supply spool 16 positioned above theshaft 35, the cylindrical passage 24( in the take-up pool 24 positionedabove the stud or spindle 39, and the curved slot 42 positioned inalignment with the drive roller 40. Shaft 35 is free to rotate to permitalignment between the passages 23 of the supply spool 16 and the splines38 on the shaft 35. This permits the passages 23 and the splines 38 tobe aligned so that the housing 10 may be moved downwardly.

As the housing 10 moves downwardly, the ears 31 on the base plate 27enter the slots 33 in the side wall 14 of the housing 10. Downwardmovement of the housing 111 is stopped by engagement of the housing 10with the portions 34 on each of the ears 31.

With the housing 10 abutting against the portions 34 of the ears 31, theshaft 35 is disposed within the cylindrical passage 22 of the supplyspool 16, the spindle or stud 39 is disposed within the cylindricalpassage 24' in the take-up spool 24, and the drive roller 40 extendswithin the housing 10 through the slot 42. At this time, the driveroller 40 is adjacent the curved shield 48. The

resilient elements 32 hold the housing 10 on the base plate 27 toprevent movement of the housing 10 during typing operations.

As the housing 10 is moved downwardly on the base plate 27 thelongitudinal member 80 extends upwardly through the opening 90 in thebottom wall 12 of the housing 10 into the cylindrical recess 89 withinthe housing 10. It will be assumed that the cylindrical recess 89 isempty. This is the arrangement when the ribbon 21 is a carbon ribbon andno overlapping of printing on the ribbon 21 is to be permitted. As aresult, the longitudinal member 80 is biased by the spring 82 to theposition in which the pin 84 will engage the disc 86 to cause a directconnection between the gear 75 and the longitudinal gear 81 forrotation.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown the pattern of characters imprintedon the ribbon 21 during each actuation of the ribbon feed mechanism withthe ribbon 21 being a carbon ribbon. With the ribbon 21' assumed to bemoving to the right and being viewed from the printing element side ofthe ribbon 21' six printing positions 156-161 are shown on the ribbon 21It is assumed that the printing area 156 is the first. This occurs withthe ribbon lift guides 30 in their uppermost position whereby thelowermost position of the ribbon 21 is disposed for engagement by theprinting head 29. The printing area 157, which is next, occurs with thelift guides 30 in their intermediate position while the printing area158 occurs with the ribbon lift guides 30 in their lowermost printingposition.

With the width of the type characters assumed to be 0.100 inch, each ofthe linear movements of the ribbon 21' past the printing position due toangular rotation of the drive'roller 40 is 0.037 inches. Accordingly,when the ribbon lift guides 30 are returned to their uppermost positionfrom their lowermost position, the area 159 is linearly orlongitudinallyspaced from the area 156 because the three linearmovements of the ribbon 21' are greater than the width of a typecharacter. This insures that there is no overstriking of a ribbon area,which has already been utilized for printing.

If the ribbon 21 within the housing 10 is a plastic ribbon in whichoverstriking or overlapping of the print areas on the ribbon 21 isdesired, then the housing 10 has the disc 91 and the spring 92 mountedtherein. Accordingly, when the housing 10 is moved downwardly to belocked on the base plate 27, the disc 91 engages the top of thelongitudinal member 80 to urge it downwardly. Since the force of thespring 92 is greater than the force of the spring 82, the member 80 ismoved downwardly provided that the teeth 94 on the member 80 aredisposed in alignment with the slots 95 in the gear 78 at this time.Disc 91 is retained by retaining ring 93.

When the teeth 94 are disposed within the slots 95, the gear ratio ischanged to substantially reduce the angular rotation of the drive roller40 during each rotation of the ratchet wheel 58. This reduces the linearmovement of the ribbon 21 past its printing position.

Accordingly, with the ribbon 21" being plastic, the positioning of thevarious print areas on the ribbon 21" will be as shown in FIG. 7. Areasl62l67 designate six areas on the ribbon 21" in which printing occurswith the first occurring at the area 162 and the last at the area 167when the ribbon 21 moves to the right.

The linear movement of the ribbon 21" past the printing position issubstantially reduced due to the substantially smaller constant angularamount of rotation of the drive roller 40. Of course, this linear amountof movement is substantially constant.

With the type character width being approximately 0.100 inch, the linearmovement of the ribbon 21" is only 0.006 inch, which is approximatelyone-sixth of the movement when the ribbon 21 is carbon. Thus, by thetime that the area 165 is engaged by the printing head 29, the leadingedge of the area 165 is disposed only 0.018 inch from the leading edgeof the area 162. As a result, there is a substantial overlap of theprint areas when the ribbon 21 is a plastic. The leading and trailingedges of the areas 165-167 have been shown dotted to emphasizetheoverlapping.

After the ribbon 21 has been fully used, it is only necessary to againmove the load lever 130 to its loading and unloading position. Aspreviously mentioned, this removes the detent 123 from one of the teethof the ratchet wheel 124, the drive roller 40 from engagement with theribbon 21 on the take-up spool 24, the ribbon spring guides 1-10 and 111from engagement with ribbon 21, and raises the ribbon lift guides 30.This permits the housing 10 to be easily removed from the base plate 27,and another of the housings 10 to be disposed thereon.

While the housing 10 has been described as being utilized until all ofthe ribbon 21 therein has been used, it should be understood that thehousing 10 may be removed at any stage of use of the ribbon 21 therein.This permits the typist to make a quick and easy change from a plasticribbon 21 to a carbon ribbon 21 and vice versa without having to touchthe ribbon 21 and without having to waste any of the carbon ribbon 21 orthe plastic ribbon 21" since the unused portion of the ribbon 21 may bereadily employed when the housing 10 is again disposed on the base plate27.

Because the spring 49 constantly urges, the drive roller 40 so that thepointed projections 41 penetrate the inked ribbon 21 on the take-upspool 24, 'a positive engagement is always provided between the driveroller 40 and the inked ribbon 21 on the take-up spool 24 irrespectiveof the diameter of the ribbon 21 on the takeup spool 24. As the diameteron the take-up spool 24 increases, the drive roller 40 moves along thecurved slot 42 in the housing 10 away from the take-up spool 24.

Since the advancement of the ribbon 21 from the V supply spool 16 to thetake-up spool 24 is governed by the angular rotation of the drive roller40, the diameter of the increasing ribbon 21 on the take-up spool 24does not affect the linear movement of the ribbon 21 past the printinghead 29. Accordingly, the same linear amount of the ribbon 21 isadvanced during each actuation of the ratchet wheel 58 because of theprojections 41 having positive engagement with the ribbon 21.

Furthermore, the engagement of the projections 41 with the ribbon 21 onthe take-up spool 24 provides the only force to wind the ribbon 21 onthe take-up spool 24. Since the force of the spring 49 is applied towardthe center of the take-up spool 24, it does not affect the tension ofthe ribbon 21 but merely squeezes the ribbon 21 toward the center of thetake-up spool 24.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown another form of cartridge, which isformed by a housing 180. The housing 180, which is preferably formed ofa lightweight plastic material, includes an upper wall 181, a lower orbottom wall 182, and a continuous sidewall 183 joining the upper wall181 and the lower or bottom wall 182.

The housing 180 has a supply spool 184 rotatably mounted therein betweenthe upper wall 181 and the lower wall 182. The supply spool 184 includesa main body 185 (see FIG. and a removable upper portion 186. Theremovable upper portion 186 includes a circular plate 187, which bearsagainst the lower surface of the upper wall 181. Fingers 188 extenddownwardly from the lower surface of the circular plate 187 fordisposition within recesses 189 in the main body 185. Thus, when one ofthe portions of the supply spool 184 is rotated, the other portion mustrotate because of the cooperation between the fingers 188 on thecircular plate 187 and the recesses 189 in the main body 185.

The upper surface of the circular plate 187 has a knob 190 projectingthrough an opening 191 in the upper wall 181 of the housing 180. Thus,when the knob 190 is rotated, the supply spool 184 is rotated.

The lower end of the main body 185 has a reduced annular portion 192,which is disposed within an opening 193 in the lower wall 182 of thehousing 180. A raised annular portion 194 extends from the upper surfaceof the bottom wall 182 within the housing 180 for cooperation with ashoulder 195 on the main body 185 of the supply spool 184. Thus, theraisedportion 194 and the circular plate 187 insure that an inked ribbon196, which has oneend attached to the main body 185 of the. supply spool184, does not contact either the upper wall 181 or the lower wall 182 ofthe housing 180.

The main body 185 of the supply spool 184 has a cylindrical passage orrecess 197 extending therethrough. The wall of the passage 197 has aplurality of equally angularly spaced longitudinal splines or ribs 198formed thereon. It should be understood that the splines or ribs 198cooperate with passages or grooves 250, which would be formed in theshaft 35l'. Thus, the same type of arrangement exists between the shaft35' and the main body 185 of the supply spool 184 as exists between theshaft 35 and the supply spool 16. However, instead of the supply spool184 having passages or grooves formed therein for cooperation withsplines 38 on the shaft 35 as the supply spool 16 does, the supply spool184 has the splines 198 formed on the main body 185 with the passages250 formed in the shaft 35 receiving the splines 198. j

The upper end of each of the splines or ribs 198 forms the bottom of oneof the recesses 189 that receive the fingers 188. Accordingly, when theknob 190 is turned, the shaft 35' is turned when the splines 198 aredisposed in the passages 250 in the shaft 35'.

The housing 180 has a take-"up spool 199 rotatably mounted therein. Asshown'injlFlG. 11, the take-up spool 199 includes a main' body 200 and aremovable upper portion 201. The removable upper portion 201 is the sameas the removable upper portion 186 of the Supply spool 184. That is, itincludes a circular plate 202 having fingers 203 extending downwardlytherefrom and a knob 204 extending upwardly from the circular plate 202through an opening 205 in the upper wall 181. The fingers 203 aredisposed within slots 206 in, the main body 200. v

The lower end of the main body 200 of the take-up spool 199 is formedwith a reduced annular portion 207, which is disposed within an opening208 in the lower wall 182 of the housing 180. An annular raised portion209 extends from the upper surface of the bottom wall 182 within thehousing for cooperation with shoulder 210 on the main body 200 of thetake-up spool 199. Thus, the lower end of the main body 200 of thetake-up spool 199 is supported in the same manner as the main body ofthe supply spool 184. The main body 200 has a cylindrical passage 21]therein of much smaller diameter than the passage 197 and does not haveany splines formed therein. The other end of the ribbon 196 is attachedto the main body 200 of the take-up spool 199.

The ribbon 196 extends from the supply spool 184 to the exterior of thehousing 180 through a slot 212, which is formed in the side wall 183 ofthe housing 180. The ribbon 196 returns to the interior of the housing180 through a second ribbon slot 213, which is formed in the side wall183 of the housing 180, for attachment to the takeup spool 199.

As the ribbon 196 passes through the slot 212, it passes around an edgeof the slot 212 so that this forms a guide for the ribbon l96 as itleaves the housing 180. Likewise, as the ribbon 196 passes through theslot 213, it engages an edge of the slot 213 so that this forms a guidefor the ribbon 196 as it returns to the interior of the housing 180.

However, after entering the housing 180 through the ribbon slot 213, theribbon 196 passes around a curved shield or guide means 214, which isthe same as the shield 48 in the housing 10, before being attached tothe take-up spool 199. Thus, this arrangement of the path of the inkedribbon 196 produces more angular wrap around the take-up spool 199 ofthe ribbon 196 before it is engaged by the drive roller 40 than thearrangement of FIG. 2.

When the inked ribbon 196 passes around the convex surface of the shield214, the inked side of the inked ribbon 196 is in engagement with theconvex surface of the shield 214. Since this inked side of the ribbon196 will have an uneven surface due to its previously having beenutilized at the printing position, this uneven surface may cause anaccumulation of particles on the convex surface of the shield 214. Ifsuch an accumulation of particles on the surface of the shield 214 wereto occur, the build up of the particles on the shield 214 would resultin drag on the ribbon 196.

Accordingly, the convex surface of the shield 214 may have a coating ofa material with a smooth surface such as Teflon, for example, thereon toeliminate any build up of particles. Thus, drag due to such particles iseliminated by using a material having a smooth surface. The coating ofTeflon may be a tape, for example. Of course, any other suitable meansfor applying the coating may be utilized.

It should be understood that "the housing 180 is releasably supported onthe base plate 27 in the same manner as is the housing 10. Furthermore,the lower wall 182 of the housing 180 has a curved slot 215 whichextends generally radially outward from opening 208, and which issimilar to the curved slot 42in the housing 10, therein to receive thedrive roller 40 in the same manner as the drive roller 40 is received inthe housing 10.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper wall 181 of the housing 180 has acurved slot 216 receiving'an extension on the stud 43 on which the driveroller 40 is rotatably mounted. Since the stud 43 moves with the driveroller 40 during its movement through the curved slot 215 as the ribbon196 is advanced from the supply spool 184 to the take-up spool 199, theextension on the stud 43 may have an indicating mark 218 thereon forcooperation with a scale 219 on the upper surface of the upper wall 181.The scale 219 may have indicia to indicate the amount of the ribbon 196that has been advanced from the supply spool 184 to the take-up spool199 by indicating either the amount of the ribbon 196 on the supplyspool 184 or the amount of the ribbon 196 on the take-up spool 199. Asshown in FIG. 9, the indicia on the scale 219 indicate the amount of theribbon 196 on the take-up spool 199. If the indicia were to indicate theamount of the ribbon 196 on the supply spool 184, the symbol E, whichindicates empty, and the symbol F, which indicates filled, would bereversed. Similarly, any suitable scale such as percentage of ribbonremaining, number of typed pages remaining, or continuous remainingtyping time could be employed.

Thus, since the indicating mark 218 is on the extended end of the stud43, the advancement of the drive roller 40 through the curved slot 216results in the advancement of the extension of the stud 43 through theslot 216. Thus, the indicating mark 218 moves with the drive roller 40as it advances along the curved slot 215 due to the increase in theamount of the ribbon 196 on the take-up spool 199. Slot 216 also willpermit observation of the quantity of ribbon 196 on spool 199thereunder.

While the housing 10 has been shown as having the spring 92 mountedtherein for cooperation with the disk 91 to change the gear ratio forchanging the linear advancement of the ribbon 21 during each cycle, thehousing 180 has a'different construction in which no spring is utilizedwithin the cartridge. Instead, the housing 180 merely has a recessportion 220 therein (see FIG. 8). For ribbons capable of receivingoverlapping print operations, a modified cartridge housing 180. isemployed as shown in FIG. 12 and is formed with a recess 220' of lesserdepth than the recess 220 employed for so called total release ribbons.

When the ribbon 196 is a carbon ribbon so that no overstrike is desiredbetween the adjacent portionsof the ribbon 196, the recess 220 in thehousing 180 is formed with a greater depth (this is shown in FIG. 8)than if the ribbon 196 is formed of a plastic material in whichoverlapping of preceding print operations is permissible and desirable.However, when the inked rib-- bon 196 is formed of a plastic material inwhich overlapping of preceding print operations is permissible anddesirable, the depth of the recess 220' (see FIG. 12) is less.

While the housing 180 has been shown as having the side wall 183connecting the upper wall 181 to the lower wall 182, it should beunderstood that a continuous side wall is not necessary. Thus, it isonly necessary that ribbon guides be provided for the ribbon 196 as itleaves the housing 180 and as it returns to the housing 180. This alsowould be applicable as to the housing 10.

While the housing has been described as having the scale 218 on theupper wall 181 for cooperation with the extension of the stud 43 toindicate the amount of the inked ribbon 196 advanced from the supplyspool 184 to the take-up spool 199, it should be understood that theindicating means could be utilized with the housing 10. Thus, it wouldonly be necessary to provide a curved slot, similar to the curved slot216, in the upper wall 11 of the housing 10, to extend the stud 43 toprotrude through the curved slot in the upper wall 11, and to have anindicating mark on the extension of the stud 43 for cooperation with ascale, which is similar to the scale 219, on the upper surface of theupper wall 11 of the housing 10. This would indicate the amount of theinked ribbon 21 that has been advanced from the supply spool 16 to thetake-up spool 24.

It should be understood that the housing 10 could have the recess 220 inthe manner shown for the housing 180. Likewise, the housing 180 couldhave the recess 89 for use with the cooperating structure of FIG. 1 inthe manner shown for the housing 10.

The drive roller 40 is driven in the same manner when the housing 180 isemployed as when using the housing 10 of FIG. 2. The primary differenceis that the spring 228 is now mounted on the ribbon advancing mechanismrather than the spring 92 being mounted in the housing 10 of thecartridge.

While the ribbons 21 and 196 have been described as being movedtransversely as well as longitudinally or linearly during each actuationof a character key, it should be understood that the present inventioncould be utilized with fixed ribbon guides rather than the movable liftguides 30. Of course, this would require greater linear movement of theribbon 21 or 196 during each fed cycle but the ratios, depending onwhether the ribbons 21 and 196 are plastic or carbon, would stay thesame.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A cartridge, packed with an inked ribbon, for use on a typewriterribbon feed mechanism, including a cartridge housing having spaced upperand lower walls and side wall means interconnecting said upper and lowerwalls, a supply spool and a takeup spool positioned within the housingbetween said upper and lower walls and an inked ribbon having ends,connected at said ribbon ends to said supply and takeup spools forwinding thereabout into the shape of a disc, said ribbon passingoutwardly of said side wall means to provide an exposed span, andwherein the improvement comprises:

means rotatably supporting said supply and takeup spools within thehousing comprising a first pair of coaxial openings formed respectivelyin said upper and lower walls for rotatably receiving said supply spooltherein, a second pair of coaxial openings formed in said upper andlower walls in a location spaced from said first pair of coaxialopenings for rotatably receiving said takeup spool therein,

standoff means formed integrally with at least said lower wall adjacentsaid openings therein for slidably engaging said supply and takeupspools to space the ribbon from said lower wall,

a further opened portion formed in said lower wall intersecting theopening in the lower wall for receiving the takeup spool and extendingradially outwardly therefrom for a distance in excess of the largestribbon disc to be wound on the takeup spool, capable of receiving adrive means and providing an arcuate path for the movement of said drivemeans, toward and away from said takeup spool,

said takeup spool having a smooth bore therein opening outwardly of saidlower wall for receiving a stationary support member,

said takeup spool having extending outwardly of said upper wall, meansfor manual rotation of said spool, and

said lower wall further comprises an additional open portion capable ofreceiving a control part ofa ribbon feed mechanism.

2. A cartridge, packed with a ribbon as defined in claim 1 furthercomprising an open portion formed in said upper wall adjacent one ofsaid spools and extending radially therefrom for exposing the amount ofribbon on said spool.

3. A cartridge, packed with a ribbon as defined in Claim 1 furthercomprising a guide means extending between said upper and lower wallsand internal to said housing and having a smooth outer surface, saidribbon being tracked into said housing, around said guide means and tosaid takeup spool.

4. A cartridge, packed with a ribbon as defined in claim 1, wherein saidradially extending opened portion is of curved configuration andcentered about a point contained within said additional open portion.

5. A cartridge, packed with a ribbon as defined in claim 3 wherein saidguide means includes a friction reducing coating on said smooth outersurface of said guide means.

1. A cartridge, packed with an inked ribbon, for use on a typewriterribbon feed mechanism, including a cartridge housing having spaced upperand lower walls and side wall means interconnecting said upper and lowerwalls, a supply spool and a takeup spool positioned within the housingbetween said upper and lower walls and an inked ribbon having ends,connected at said ribbon ends to said supply and takeup spools forwinding thereabout into the shape of a disc, said ribbon passingoutwardly of said side wall means to provide an exposed span, andwherein the improvement comprises: means rotatably supporting saidsupply and takeup spools within the housing comprising a first pair ofcoaxial openings formed respectively in said upper and lower walls forrotatably receiving said supply spool therein, a second pair of coaxialopenings formed in said upper and lower walls in a location spaced fromsaid first pair of coaxial openings for rotatably receiving said takeupspool therein, standoff means formed integrally with at least said lowerwall adjacent said openings therein for slidably engaging said supplyand takeup spools to space the ribbon from said lower wall, a furtheropened portion formed in said lower wall intersecting the opening in thelower wall for receiving the takeup spool and extending radiallyoutwardly therefrom for a distance in excess of the largest ribbon discto be wound on the takeup spool, capable of receiving a drive means andproviding an arcuate path for the movement of said drive means, towardand away from said takeup spool, said takeup spool having a smooth boretherein opening outwardly of said lower wall for receiving a stationarysupport member, said takeup spool having extending outwardly of saidupper wall, means for manual rotation of said spool, and said lower wallfurther comprises an additional open portion capable of receiving acontrol part of a ribbon feed mechanism.
 2. A cartridge, packed with aribbon as defined in claim 1 further comprising an open portion formedin said upper wall adjacent one of said spools and extending radiallytherefrom for exposing the amount of ribbon on said spool.
 3. Acartridge, packed with a ribbon as defined in Claim 1 further comprisinga guide means extending between said upper and lower walls and internalto said housing and having a smooth outer surface, said ribbon beingtracked into said housing, around said guide means and to said takeupspool.
 4. A cartridge, packed with a ribbon as defined in claim 1,wherein said radially extending opened portion is of curvedconfigUration and centered about a point contained within saidadditional open portion.
 5. A cartridge, packed with a ribbon as definedin claim 3 wherein said guide means includes a friction reducing coatingon said smooth outer surface of said guide means.